Amy Van Dyken-Rouen on Today Show

Why Paralysis Can't Stop Olympian Amy Van Dyken-Rouen

Earlier this year, Olympic swimmer Amy Van Dyken-Rouen suffered an almost-fatal ATV accident that left her paralyzed. The six-time gold medal winner severed her spine and had to be rushed into emergency surgery; before she went in, she made sure to say goodbye to her husband, Tom, in case she didn't survive. Now, Amy is tasked with intense physical therapy for seven hours a day, strengthening her body and hoping to regain feeling in her legs. Even with such a hard life challenge in front of her, Amy still has a positive attitude. "It's a setback; that's all it is," she said this morning on the Today show. "And then we're gonna rock and roll."

Amy's new goal: to walk out of the hospital in August. Check out how the two-time Olympian inspires those around her with her optimism and fierce dedication in the clip above.